PBA: Masked CJ Cansino comes alive for Meralco in Game 4 win

Meralco Bolts’ CJ Cansino reacts after knocking down a crucial basket vs TNT Tropang 5G in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 4. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—In the classic film “The Dark Knight Rises,” Bane said: “Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask.”

That line seemed fitting for CJ Cansino in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

Cansino has always been a capable shooter, but he took on a bigger role for Meralco Bolts after getting hit in Game 1 and wearing a carbon fiber mask since.

On Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, he delivered his best performance yet with the mask on in a 101-90 win over TNT Tropang 5G.

Meralco’s CJ Cansino and coach Luigi Trillo after the Game 4 win over TNT. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/zXwZHr1xa2

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“It’s really hard to adjust with this mask on. I feel like a horse,” Cansino said in jest. “But, I just accepted that I need to get over this injury so I just kept working. I just needed to get used to wearing the mask on and it had a good outcome.”

Cansino scored 12 points in the series opener before tallying just five and eight points in Games 2 and 3, respectively.

But with the Bolts needing a win to even the series at 2-2, the former UP standout rose to the occasion.

“I just kept working on my shots everyday. Whatever I did today, I shot them all in practice,” he said. “They just so happened to go in today.”

Cansino exploded for 17 points in the Meralco win, topscoring all the Bolts’ locals.

The rising guard also sank the biggest shot of the game late in the fourth quarter, drilling a four-pointer to push Meralco ahead, 97-90, with 1:21 remaining.

Cansino’s performance helped Meralco turn the best-of-seven series into a virtual best-of-three.